Owning your very own espresso machine has become more common than ever before in the past few years. With the price Starbucks charges for a simple latte, it just makes sense. In the long run, a home espresso machine pays for itself.

The espresso makers that you get for home use are just less powerful versions of the ones used in all the big coffee shops. You can make the decision as to how feature-rich you need your machine to be. The price, features, and level of automation vary, so you can pay what you want and get what you need no matter what that may be.

Espresso machines operate by forcing boiling hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressures, producing a full-bodied espresso with light and sweet crema. The exact process varies depending on the type of machine.

Machine Archetypes

Pump espresso machines are generally at the higher end of the spectrum, both in quality and price tag. As expected, they produce the nicest espresso, but it comes at the cost of being large and noisy. Most pump machines are geared more towards commercial usage, but you can find pump espresso machines for home usage as well.

The method with manual espresso machines is a little more simple. They use a hand operated lever and piston system to create the pressure that forces the water through the coffee grounds. These machines require a greater amount of individual skill to make good espresso, and practice is necessary to maintain consistent pressure. Despite their steeper learning curve, manual espresso machines are still great for espresso enthusiasts as they require very little maintenance and have few parts to replace.

Steam powered espresso machines are the most common espresso makers for home use. They heat up quickly, require little skill to use, and are usually compact enough to fit in the average home’s kitchen without too much fuss. The steam from heating the water provides the pressure in these machines, though it isn’t always enough to truly extract the essence of the coffee.

The most simple of espresso machines is the percolator, also known as the moka pot or stovetop espresso maker. These are comprised of two halves and a central chamber, with the bottom half being filled with water, a central chamber with the espresso grounds, and the top being where the espresso ends up. The water is heated, turns to steam, and is forced through the grounds into the top chamber. Due to the lack of a steam wand and lower pressure, these machines are not recommended for espresso conneisseurs

Another basic simple espresso machine is the moka pot or percolator. These use a pressurized bottom half to send the steam though the coffee into the top half where the espresso is collected. The main advantages are that they are very simple to use and are the least expensive of all the models. However, they have no frothing tools or method for frothing, have less pressure than mechanical versions, which means less flavor is extracted from the coffee.

What Do You Need?

Like most home appliances, espresso machines should be looked at as an investment. You have to determine whether you’re going to use the machine regularly or just occasionally, and shop accordingly. Regardless of price, make sure that the manufacturer offers a solid warranty behind their product.

Another consideration that should be taken into account is the amount of counter space you have available. For occasional use, you will most likely want something more compact that can be easily tucked away when you need the counter space for other purposes.

Price

Depending on your needs, price may be the determining factor in which machine you end up getting. If you are on a budget, it is better to be realistic and find the best espresso machine in your price range rather than fretting over the higher end features that you can’t afford. If the machine is replacing your daily trip to the local coffee shop, calculate how much that costs you per month and get an idea of how quickly the machine will start saving you money. You may feel more comfortable splurging on a high end machine if you know that you spend that on coffee every three months anyway.

Once that is taken care of, check out some reviews online. Regardless of your budget, there is a quality machine available in your price range. As far as brands go, I would strongly recommend Gaggia espresso machines. I have used them for years, and have found them to be superior in quality to the vast majority of other manufacturers. Whichever brand you choose, there’s nothing better than getting out of bed and sipping on a fresh espresso while you wake up.

Marc DiBenetto is a caffeine freak and self-styled espresso expert. If you are looking to get on the path to true espresso enlightenment, check out his Gaggia Espresso Maker site.

Author: Marc DiBenetto
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
White Coat Hypertension